Protecting residential roofing from damage and scheduling timely repairs is critical for any homeowner who wants to extend the lifespan of their roof. Homeowners are more likely to schedule inspections and residential roof repairs after severe storms occur. There are ways you can protect your roof prior to severe weather that can save you a significant amount of time and money by helping delay the need for a residential roof replacement. Here are three tips for spotting potential issues before roof damage can occur.
Inspect The Exterior
It’s important that you inspect the roof as best and safely as you can on a regular basis, especially immediately after a storm (if you’re able to access it) either by climbing a ladder or using binoculars. By visually inspecting your roof, you can spot missing, curling or cracking shingles, gutter concerns and damaged flashing. These factors can significantly contribute to potential leaks. Catching small issues early that can be resolved with minor repairs can save you money on full roof replacement by ensuring your roof properly repels water and other damaging elements. Regular inspections and quick repairs can also lower heating and cooling bills and discourage pests from burrowing and nesting in your roof.
Do you see any bubbling, discoloration or shingles that won’t lay flat? Are your gutters firmly attached with no signs of rust or decay? Do you see any mold developing or rotting shingles? Is your flashing loose or damaged? These are all signs that you may need to hire a residential roofing contractor to make necessary repairs. If you cannot access or safely view your roof yourself to conduct an inspection, it’s a good idea to call your roofing contractor so you can get a good understanding of its current state.
Examine Your Ceilings and Attic
Take a walk around inside of the house and pay close attention to ceilings, the attic space and window trims. If you see any moldy areas, water stains or peeling paint, it’s possible that you could have some kind of damage to your roof. More often than not, ceiling stains mean there’s a leak somewhere in your roofing. Damp insulation or rotting wood in your attic can also be indicators of water damage to your roof. Similarly, clogged gutters can cause water to seep up underneath the edge of your roofing flashing or shingles, leaking down the interior of your walls. Keep in mind if the water damage present is only visible on the lowest level of your home, the source of the leak is likely elsewhere and not your roof. Additionally, if you can hear or see evidence of pests living in your roof, they may have entered through or created a vulnerable spot in your roof. At the first sign of any roofing damage, call a trusted, local roofing contractor to perform an inspection and make repairs.
Perform Preventative Maintenance
Of course, there are tasks that you can do to minimize the risk of potential roof damage. First, make sure there aren’t any heavy branches hanging over your roof. Beyond water damage, a windy storm could easily bring down a branch on top of your house. In addition, make sure to schedule regular roof inspections. A roofing contractor will likely be able to spot minor issues you never would have noticed. A once-yearly inspection should be fine unless there was a major weather event in your area and you’re concerned about how your roof held up. Finally, keep your gutters clean and have any damaged or missing shingles replaced as soon as possible.
Addressing issues that contribute to worsening roof damage before or shortly after they occur can save you thousands of dollars in residential roof replacement costs. Call Select Construction today to schedule a residential roof inspection and estimate for any needed repairs. Our experienced, skilled roofing technicians will help you keep your roof in good condition and protect your investment in your home.